I'
EXCERPT OF TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW FOR SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
WITH MIKE STEKETEE AND PETER BOWERS 9 December 1986
E 0 E Proof Only
STEKETEE: Is the natural unpopularity that the Treasurer has
suffered, particularly during the difficult economic times,
been aggravated in Paul Keating's case, by the blind spot
over failing to tile his tax return?
PM: The Treasurer has obviously suffered as a result of
that. It is something that he acknowledges that he has
suffered as a result of that. And inevitably, there is some
negative impact for the Government. It would be futile for
either myself or Paul to deny that. He doesn't deny it and
nor do I.
BOWERS: Prime Minister, you have said the Treasurer should
spend more time talking to people in supermarkets, I think.
Do you think it is time that the boy from Bankstown went
home? PM: Let me say this. In terms of where Paul Keating's
commitments are, I think he has been done a terrible
injustice in the assumption that he has lost a commitment to
the traditional Labor electorate. This is one of the great
injustices of Australian politics. And I know from being the
person who has sat there year after year, in the ERC
processes, just how real Paul Keating's commitments are to
the traditional Labor values.. That gets ignored or neglected
because of the extraordinary capacity he has to deal with the
business and the financial community, not only in this
country but internationally. The fact that he has that
capacity, to a hugely demonstrable, degree carries no
implication, and indeed it is not right to say that he has
lost his traditional commitments. Now to assume, therefore,
that he needs to be physically, at some point, to remember
his values, is an unfairness to him. Now I guess,
objectively, it would be the case that it would be easier for
him politically if he were back there. But, of course, the
point he makes is that to do the job of Treasurer of this
country is one which requires, almost more than any other
position, a relativeW~ continual presence in Canberra. The
third point I would make is that no-one knows more than I do
the deep commitment that this man has to his family. And it
is traditionally appropriate for politicians to assert the
closeness that they have the inspiration they from
their-family and it is fair enough for politicians to do
that. I know, from my own personal and intimate knowledge of
the Keating family, how true it is in his case. Those are
the things th ' at are relevant in full answer to your question.
But I acknowl ' edge that in political terms# yes it probably
would be easier for him if he were back there.
BOWERS: wran' s offer of resignation I..